How To Wash Off Cologne: A Step-By-Step Guide

Whether it's a case of over-application or a change of heart, there are several methods to remove cologne from the skin and clothes. For the skin, rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser is a popular choice, as fragrances are formulated with alcohol-soluble ingredients. A cotton ball or wipe can be used to apply these products, and they are also available in portable formats for on-the-go use. Alternatively, one can use makeup remover, unscented deodorant, or laundry detergent. For clothes, home remedies such as vinegar, lemon juice, and water mixtures, or hanging them outside can help eliminate scents. Commercial products like laundry detergents and fabric softeners can also be used, but unscented varieties are preferable to avoid replacing one scent with another.

Using rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser on a cotton ball

If you've overdone it with the cologne, don't worry—you can use a simple household product to remove the smell. Both rubbing alcohol and hand sanitiser are effective at dissolving fragrances.

Method

• First, dampen a cotton ball with either rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser.
• Squeeze out any excess moisture.
• Swipe the perfumed skin with the damp cotton ball.
• If the smell doesn't go away, apply more product to the cotton ball and swipe again.
• Let the skin dry.

Tips

• If the odour persists, mix a small amount of water and baking soda to form a thick paste.
• Smooth the paste over the perfumed skin and leave it on for a few minutes, then rinse it off with lukewarm water.
• Wash your skin with water and a mild soap, then pat it dry with a clean washcloth or towel.
• If you're using hand sanitiser, avoid products with strong scents or additional dyes, as these could further stain your skin.
• If you're using rubbing alcohol, opt for a concentration of 70% isopropyl alcohol. While 99% isopropyl alcohol is stronger, 70% has more water, which helps it dissolve slowly, penetrate cells, and kill bacteria.
• Always supervise children when they are using hand sanitiser, and store it out of their reach. Hand sanitiser can be toxic when ingested and can cause alcohol poisoning in children.

Applying unscented deodorant and washing it off

To begin, apply a generous amount of unscented deodorant to the areas of your skin where the cologne is present. Allow the deodorant to sit for a few minutes. This waiting period is crucial as it gives the deodorant time to absorb and neutralise the cologne's fragrance.

After a few minutes, take a soft cloth or sponge and thoroughly wet it with warm water. Begin gently washing the areas where you applied the deodorant, using circular motions to ensure complete removal. You may also choose to use an unscented soap or body wash to aid in this process.

Once you have washed off the deodorant, rinse the cloth or sponge with warm water and gently wipe the area again to ensure no residue is left behind. Finally, dry your skin with a clean towel.

If you are attempting to remove cologne from your clothing, you can follow a similar process. Start by applying a liberal amount of unscented deodorant to the affected areas of the garment. Allow the deodorant to sit for a few minutes to neutralise the cologne's fragrance.

Next, pretreat the garment by creating a paste with equal parts laundry detergent and warm water. Work this paste into the stained fibres using a soft-bristled toothbrush. After applying the paste, let it sit for about five minutes.

Following the pretreatment, you can wash the garment as usual, following the instructions on its care label. Be sure to wash the item of clothing promptly after applying the deodorant to prevent the cologne stain from setting in.

Making a paste with baking soda and water

If you want to wash off cologne, one method is to make a paste with baking soda and water. This paste can be applied to the skin to neutralise odours and lift stains.

To make the paste, you will need:

• A metal bowl
• Measuring cups and spoons
• A toothbrush or sponge
• Baking soda
• Water

First, measure out your ingredients. The exact quantities are not crucial, but the ratio is important. A good rule of thumb is to use three parts baking soda to one part water. For example, you could use three teaspoons of baking soda and one teaspoon of water. If you need to make more of the paste, simply increase the amounts of baking soda and water while maintaining the correct ratio.

Next, combine the baking soda and water in the metal bowl and mix well until a thick paste forms. Add more water as needed to achieve the desired consistency.

Now that your paste is ready, you can apply it to the skin. Rub the paste into the skin and let it sit for several minutes. Finally, rinse the paste away with plain water and a washcloth.

You can also add vinegar to your baking soda and water mixture for extra cleaning power. This combination can be effective for removing stains and neutralising odours. However, be aware that mixing vinegar and baking soda creates a chemical reaction that produces carbon dioxide gas and causes bubbling. This reaction does not necessarily indicate effective cleaning.

Using lemon juice and water

Lemon juice is a great natural alternative to traditional cleaning products. It is an excellent cleaner, as it is naturally antibacterial and antiseptic, and it also serves as a natural bleach. Lemon juice is also a great option for those looking for a chemical-free cleaning agent.

Lemon juice can be used to remove cologne from clothes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do this:

• Make a solution of equal parts lemon juice and water. For example, if you have 100ml of lemon juice, add 100ml of water. Make sure to mix it well.
• Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
• Spray the solution onto the piece of clothing where the cologne is concentrated. You can also spray the entire piece of clothing if you want to give it a fresh lemon scent.
• Use a soft-bristled brush to scrub the areas where you have applied the solution. This helps to ensure that the solution penetrates the fabric and effectively removes the cologne. It also helps to distribute the lemon scent evenly throughout the garment.
• Hang the garment outside to dry in the sun. This step is important, as it ensures that the lemon scent is absorbed into the fabric.

While lemon juice is a great natural cleaner, it is important to note that it is not a disinfectant. Therefore, if you need to remove bacteria from a surface, you will need to use a stronger cleaning agent, such as bleach. Additionally, lemon juice should not be used on certain surfaces, such as natural stone, brass, or marble, as it can cause corrosion or damage.

Soaking clothes in vinegar

So, you've doused yourself in cologne and now you're looking to get rid of the scent. Well, you're in luck! There are a few methods that can help you remove cologne from your clothes, and one of the most popular ones is to use vinegar. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

First of all, make sure that the clothes you want to treat are completely dry. This is important because if the fabric is damp, the moisture molecules can interfere with the reaction that occurs when vinegar is applied.

Next, add the clothes to your washing machine. For this method, you'll want to use vinegar instead of your regular detergent. Add about 240 mL of vinegar to the load. You can add other clothes to the load as well, as vinegar is a great natural cleaner and won't harm your other garments.

After adding the vinegar, simply run a normal wash cycle. The vinegar will act as a cleaning agent and remove the cologne scent. If you want to add a pleasant scent to your clothes, you can use dryer sheets during the drying cycle.

Be sure to dry your clothes completely after the wash cycle. If they're left damp, they can develop musty smells, which is the opposite of what you're trying to achieve!

Using vinegar to wash your clothes has many benefits. It's a natural cleaner that can remove stains, brighten clothes, eliminate odors, and even act as a fabric softener. However, there are a few things to keep in mind. Vinegar shouldn't be used with certain types of fabric, such as elastic or exercise clothing, as the acid can break down the elastic over time. It's also important to never mix vinegar with bleach or chlorine bleach, as this combination creates toxic and dangerous fumes.

So, if you're looking to remove cologne or any other stubborn scent from your clothes, give the vinegar method a try! It's an inexpensive and effective way to freshen up your garments.

Frequently asked questions